Oliver R. Avison

Oliver R. Avison, born on June 30, 1860, was a pioneering Canadian doctor and missionary whose profound impact on healthcare in Korea spanned over four decades. During the Kaehwagi or Enlightenment Period, he dedicated his life to spreading Western medical knowledge, significantly transforming the landscape of medical education and practice in the region.

In 1904, Avison founded the Severance Hospital and the Severance Medical College in Seoul, two institutions that became cornerstones of medical care and education. His vision was to treat the sick while simultaneously introducing Korean natives to the principles of Western medicinal sciences. This ambitious project was made possible through extensive fundraising efforts across North America, which garnered substantial donations from the American philanthropist Louis H. Severance, after whom the hospital was named.

Avison was particularly noted for his innovative ecumenical approach, which sought to unite medical missionaries from various denominations. He challenged the conventional practices of foreign medical missionaries in Korea, advocating for collaborative efforts that emphasized the importance of educational missions alongside medical ones. His beliefs were deeply influenced by Methodist philosophies and the example set by Horace Underwood, the first Presbyterian missionary in Korea.